Myth #29

• Category: Misc/Other

  • Health Care reform will pressure the elderly to end their lives prematurely.

    • Myth Health Care reform will pressure the elderly to end their lives prematurely.
      Or in another form: It will allow for legalized physician-assisted suicide.
      

      FactThe section of the bill this myth is referring to is SEC. 1233. ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: It amends the Medicare Act to allow coverage for patients to receive counseling about end-of-life care options every five years if they so choose. Moreover, prominent medical societies have supported such counseling. Here is an analysis of this portion of the bill:
      Provides coverage for consultation between enrollees and practitioners to discuss orders for life-sustaining treatment. Instructs CMS to modify 'Medicare & You' handbook to incorporate informationon end-of-life planning resources and to incorporate measures on advance care planning into the physician's quality reporting initiative .
      
      The section of HR 3200 will require that doctors ask patients their preferences when it comes to end-of-life and critical emergency care situations . You get to choose whether you want doctors to perform life-saving treatments, or whether you want a Do-Not-Resuscitate order, or whether you want only palliative treatments and hospice. Under no circumstances would you be forced to sign away your rights or even answer when asked about your preferences, and under no circumstances would you be denied life-saving treatment if you wanted it.

      Twitter Facebook PermaLink Myth #: 29 Created: 08/01/09 Updated: 11/23/20 22:20 PM
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